Improvement in counterpoise gun-carriages



2 Shets sheefl. JOHN G. FOSTER. Improvement in Counierpoise Gun-Carriages. NO. 114,430. I Patented May 2,1871.

a J v I w J 2 Sh t--Sh -12. 1mm G.'F0STER. Improvement in Counterpoise Gun-Carriages. No. 14.430

Patented May 2,1871.

JOHN G. FOSTER, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 114,430, dated May 2, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN, COUNTERPOISE GUN-CARRIAGES'.

The Schedulereferred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern to counterpoise gun-carriages paratus is rendered more efiicient and perfect, as hereiuafter explained.

Figure l is a side elevation of the apparatus with the gun in position for firing.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same with the gun removed.

Figure 3 is an inside view of a portion of the guncarriage.

Figure 4 is a front elevation, and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modification of the track on which the wheels of the counterweights travel, said modification being intended to preserve a perfect equilibrium between the counterpoise-Weights and the gun with its carriage.

In constructing my improved apparatus I provide an'incliued traversing-carriage or chassis, O, as is usual in this style of mounting ordnance.

On this I mount the gun-carriage B, having the gun A mounted thereon, as shown in fig. 1, the cheeks of the carriage B having slots, b, cut in them, as shown in figs. 1 and 2, for a purpose hereinafter stated.

Transversely of the chassis G are located two shafts, d and at, one at its 'rear endv and the other at a point as high up as the rear end of the gun-carriage when the latter is run forward, each of these shafts being provided with sprocket-wheels, aroundwhich pass two endless chains, F, as shown'in figs. 1, 2, and'4, though, if preferred, the wheels on the upper shaft may be smooth or grooved pulleys.

To the rear. end of the carriage B are pivoted two pawls, l and 1, shown in figs.'1 and 2, which engage upon the chains F in such a manner that, when these chains are moved, the carriage B is forced along with them up the incline, the lower shaft 11 being provided with a crank or similar means for operating the chains, and thereby the carriage and its gun.

The carriage B is provided with two sets of flanged wheels, which travel on the inclined chassis; and onto these wheels or their axles are secured ratchet wheels 0 as shown in fig. 3 and in dotted lines in 'figs. 1 and 2.

A spring pawl, n, is connected to the carriage B, and madeto engage with these ratchet-wheels o in such a manner that, when the carriage B is forced down the incline by the recoil of the gun, the wheels f are locked, and thus made to slide on the chassis, and thus assist in overcoming the recoil, they being free to revolve as the carriage is forced upward or forward.

At each side of the chassis, on its outer face, is secured a horizontal rail or flange, R, on which rest a large wheel, I), at each side, these wheels being connected by a strong shaft, G, which passes through the slots b in the carriage B, as represented in figs. l and 2.

If desired, another shaft may also be used to connect the Wheels D rigidly together, it being located below the inclined rails in such a position as-not to interferewith the motion of the wheels D.

To the front sides of these wheels D are attached weights E, of a size or weight sufiicient to act as a counter-balance to the gun and its carriage, as shown in figs. 1, 2, and 4.

These weights, being thus located, are; carried upward and backward by-the wheels Das the latter are rolled backward on the rails R by the recoil of the gun and its carriage, the line of the center of gravity of these weights being indicated by the line a: of fig. 4, the line y indicating the line of travel of the shaft G, while z indicates the line or face of the chassis.

- In order to preserve a perfect equilibrium between the combined weight of the gun and its carriage and these oounterbalancing-weights E the track or rails R, on which the wheels D travel, should be made as indicated in fig. 4, where they are represented as being slightly curved. This curvature is very slight, and its exact curves or configuration are to be determined by wellknowu mathematical formulas, which need not be herein repeated.

In order to prevent any torsional strain on the shaft G, which connects the wheels D, and keep the latter in proper position, and prevent them from tend;

ing to run off the railslt, they are provided, on a portion of their periphery, with a .series of spurs or projections, e, which engage in corresponding holes in the rails, as represented in fig. 1.

The operation of the apparatus thus constructed will be readily understood:

p The gun, being charged, is run up so as to fire over the parapet or breastwork I, and, when discharged, the recoil will force it back down the inclined chassis O, the weights E connterbalancing the combined weight of the carriage and gun, as in similar devices of this class.

By this method of combining the wheels D and their weights E withthe carriage and its gun I render the operation very. complete, and overcome several difficulties which have heretofore existed in this class of gun-carriages or manner of mounting and operatin g ordnance.

Having thus described my invention, 

